Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
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Acts 6:1-6
Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
1 Timothy 3:8-16
[8] Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. [9] They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. [10] And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. [11] Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. [12] Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. [13] For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
[14] I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, [15] if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. [16] Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:
He was manifested in the flesh,
vindicated by the Spirit,
seen by angels,
proclaimed among the nations,
believed on in the world,
taken up in glory.
Office bearers are important part of the church.
Not only for their service rendered but as an example for how we are to live.
End of 1 Timothy_---- we need to know how to live in the household of God. The directions were given to teach us how we are to live as Christians in community with each other.
Deacons and elders are to be an example of how we are to live.
So what does the bible teach us about deacons?
1. People complained that some of the widows were being missed in the distribution of food to the poor and needy. They said this isn't right.
2. It was not right either to give up their call to preach.
3. So they called out seven men to help with this duty.
These were men of good report and Christian living.
So deacons are called to look to the physical needs of others. We are all called to this but deacons have a special duty.
Character qualities
- Good reputation
- Serious
- Not double-tongued
- Not addicted to much wine
- Not greedy for dishonest gain
- Hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience
- Tested first
- Proven blameless
- Wives must be the same - dignified' not a slanderer, sober-minded, faithful in all things
- Have only one wife
- Managing their families well
- Managing their household well
Being a deacon is an important task.
It is a position where you are called to help.
Remember it is not a task of glory. It is a task that will remind you daily of your need for the Lord.
It is a position of service not greatness.
Deacons help the church be the bulwark of faith and truth it is called to be.
Prayer for your deacons is a part of this. Prayer is vital!
Build up the church.